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Daily Schedule 14 Days
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Day 1
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En route to Australia.
Travel from your hometown via
the West Coast on an adventure of a lifetime. We cross the
International Date Line, losing a day, but we regain it on
our return trip.
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Day 2
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Arrive Sydney. G’day
and welcome to Australia! This evening we arrive in Sydney,
a city built around one of the world’s most beautiful
harbours, and transfer to your hotel for the next three
nights.
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Day 3
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Sydney Touring. After a
full breakfast, we’re off for a day of great sightseeing
in Sydney, including the historic Rocks District and Darling
Harbour. The Rocks is the site of Australia’s first
European settlement. Colorful streetscapes and elegantly
restored buildings house a wide variety of entertainment
venues and specialty shops. We’ll also have the
opportunity to experience an Opal Cutting Demonstration,
Australia’s national gemstone. Later this afternoon we’ll
relax and enjoy a narrated coffee cruise on Sydney Harbour.
We’ll see many sights of the spectacular harbour including
the Opera House, Sydney Bridge and multi-million dollar
homes of the rich and famous. (Breakfast)
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Day 4
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Free Day in Sydney. Today
has been left free of organized group activities. You may
want to join an optional tour to the Wildlife Park for an
up-close look at some of the animals unique to Australia or
an exciting Bridge Climb on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This
evening we’ll enjoy the breathtaking sights of the harbour
as we dine at Australia’s highest and most spectacular
restaurant atop Sydney Tower. (Dinner)
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Day 5
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Travel to Canberra,
Australia’s Capital. We depart for Canberra this
morning and we’ll stop at a local sheep station to
experience a piece of rural Australia. Meet a
fifth-generation Australian farmer and his wife as we get a
sheep shearing demonstration and learn about wool classing.
To top off our visit at the sheep station, we’ll enjoy a
real “Aussie” BBQ lunch. We continue on to Canberra,
Australia’s capital and a unique city. The city was
modeled after our own Washington, DC, and it is where all
the politicians, national galleries and museums are located.
We’ll get a chance to see the Parliament House, Embassy
Row and the Australian War Memorial museum. (Lunch)
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Day 6
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Travel through Wine Country
to Melbourne. This morning after we enjoy a full
breakfast, we’ll set out for a scenic journey through wine
country. Our travels today will give us a look at the
beautiful Australian countryside with views of snowy
mountain peaks in the distance. The land and scenery of this
glorious region will make for an unforgettable ride to the
stately Victorian city of Melbourne. (Breakfast)
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Day 7
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Sightseeing in Melbourne. There
is great sightseeing in Melbourne today, the cultural
capital of Australia. Well known for its superb gardens and
parks, Melbourne is also a city of contrasts, famous for its
elegant tree-lined boulevards, set against a backdrop of
fine Victorian architecture and sweeping modern skyscrapers.
Highlights of our day include the Italian Quarter, the
Shrine of Remembrance, the Botanic Gardens where you may
enjoy a Devonshire Tea, Fitzroy Gardens, a view of Captain
Cook’s Cottage and spectacular city views from Westgate
Bridge. We’ll drive along the Yarra River and South Bank,
Melbourne’s new entertainment area. Later today we have
arranged an optional trip to Phillip Island to visit the
Koala Conservation Center and view the tiny fairy penguins
as they waddle up the beach. (Breakfast)
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Day 8
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Melbourne. Melbourne is
truly a city full of history, character and charm and today
is free for you to experience more of this city from our
centrally located hotel. Take a walk along the Yarra River
or ride the City Circle Tram. A visit to Federation Square
is a destination in itself, with an art gallery, museum,
wine center and a variety of outdoor cafes. Been to the
market lately...try the Queen Victoria Market...the southern
hemisphere’s largest open-air market offering a variety of
fresh farm produce and a range of uniquely Australian items
and souvenirs to take back home.
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Day 9
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Fly to New Zealand. This
morning we depart for the airport and our flight to
Auckland, New Zealand. Upon arrival in this vibrant city, we
transfer to our hotel for the next two evenings.
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Day 10
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Auckland. Our day
begins with a sightseeing tour of New Zealand’s largest
city, Auckland, “The City of Sails.” We’ll travel past
Victoria Park Market and Westhaven Marina before heading on
to the volcanic crater of Mt. Eden where you can enjoy
spectacular views of the city and harbour. Other touring
highlights include Parnell with its trendy café and
shopping area. We’ll see Bastion Point, which is where you
will find some of Auckland’s most expensive residences,
America’s Cup Village and Queen Street, Auckland’s main
shopping and business district. Tonight enjoy a wonderful
dinner with unparalleled, breathtaking views from above
central Auckland at the Auckland Tower. (Dinner)
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Day 11
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Drive the Countryside to a
local farm. The morning is yours to explore more of
Auckland or take an optional tour to Kelly Tarlton’s. Here
you plunge under Auckland’s waterfront as you board your
Antarctic snowcat and discover spectacular secrets of the
Southern Ocean and see the magic of an Antarctic
fantasyland, complete with penguins strutting in fresh snow
and ice. Later this afternoon you’re in for a treat as you
enjoy the hospitality of friendly New Zealanders in their
homes. Stay in a guest room of a home on a typical New
Zealand working farm and become a part of their family for
the night. Take a tour of the farm, experience the daily
activities and enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared by your
hosts. (Dinner)
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Day 12
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Waitomo Caves and Travel to
Rotorua. After a hearty home cooked breakfast, we depart
our newly found friends and travel south to Waitomo for a
tour of the famous Glow Worm Grotto. Ride through the
caverns lit by millions of glow worms that are endlessly
fascinating, looking like blue stars on the ceiling.
(Breakfast)
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Day 13
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Rotorua. There is great
sightseeing in Rotorua today including Whakarewarewa where
we will take an educational journey through time, covering
300 years of history living within the unique environment of
this valley. See boiling pools, bathing and washing areas
using the thermal waters and enjoy a cultural performance
normally held in the beautifully carved ancestral house,
Wahiao. We’ll also visit Rainbow Springs National Park,
renowned for its trout and wildlife as well as the home of
the Kiwi Encounter, which is a working nursery and hatchery
for New Zealand’s national symbol, the kiwi. Enjoy an
entertaining look into farming at the New Zealand Farm Show.
In the evening we’ll experience a Maori hangi feast,
followed by traditional music and dancing. (Dinner)
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Day 14
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En Route to USA. Later
today, we’ll board our flights back home and reminisce
about the wonderful time we have had in the ‘land down
under.’ Arrive home on the same day as we left, courtesy
of the International Date Line.
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Air
Add-On Rates From
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Single Room
Add
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New
York
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Chicago
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Los
Angeles
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September
13
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$1,625
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$2,060*
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$2,060*
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$1,660*
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$889
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*
Prices include a fuel surcharge of $220 per person
Please add $150 per person to cover
various departure and arrival taxes.
Not included is a $25 New Zealand departure tax,
payable upon departure from Auckland
Air & Land taxes and fuel surcharges are
subject to change.
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2009
Depart USA
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Air
Add-On Rates From
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Single Room
Add
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New
York
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Chicago
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Los
Angeles
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April
18, 25
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$1,717
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$2,109*
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$2,109*
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$1,735*
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$998
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May
16
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$1,899
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$2,109*
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$2,109*
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$1,735*
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$998
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September
12, 29
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$1,899
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$2,109*
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$2,109*
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$1,735*
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$998
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October
17
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$1,999
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$2,176*
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$2,176*
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$1,800*
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$998
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November
7
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$1,999
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$2,176*
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$2,176*
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$1,800*
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$998
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*
Prices include a fuel surcharge of $220 per person
Please add $150 per person to cover
various departure and arrival taxes.
Not included is a $25 New Zealand departure tax,
payable upon departure from Auckland
Air & Land taxes and fuel surcharges are
subject to change.
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Optional excursions are purchased while on tour in local
currency. Your Tour Manager will have complete details.
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